Update: You can find details of Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2010 in this latest article - Kailash Yatra . The below article is of the previous year.

Booking for the annual Kailash Manasarovar Yatra 2009 organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India, from end of May/early June to September 2009 has started. The Kailash Manasarovar Yatra is open to all Indian citizens above 18 years of age who wish to proceed to Kailash Manasarovar in China for religious purposes. The last date of receiving applications is Friday, March 20, 2009. The application forms and other details are available online at the Ministry of External Affairs website.

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra includes visit to MountKailash – the abode of Lord Shiva – and ManasarovarLake. According to Hindu scriptures, those who take a dip in the Manasarovar and complete the parikrama (circumambulate) around MountKailash are absolved of their sins and are liberated from the cycle of birth and death. They are ultimately united with Brahman (symbolically represented by MountKailash or Shiva).

About the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra

Applicants should ensure that they possess an ordinary Indian passport valid for more than six months. All Yatris need to undergo a comprehensive medical examination and there selection will only take place after a positive medical report.

A High Risk Journey

Yatra is extremely arduous (more so than the Vaishnodevi / Amarnath routes), involves trekking at high altitudes upto 19,500 feet, under inhospitable conditions including extreme cold and rugged terrain and may prove hazardous for those who are not physically or medically fit. The Indian Mountaineering Foundation has recognized the Kailash Manasarovar Yatra as a trekking expedition. There is a considerable element of risk to life and property.

Duration

The duration of the Yatra will be 26 days. In addition, Yatris will need to spend 4 days in New Delhi to obtain visas, undergo a comprehensive medicalexamination and complete financial formalities.

Kailash Manasarovar Yatra Dates

In 2009 it is planned to send sixteen batches each consisting of amaximum of 60 pilgrims. The first batch is expected to depart from New Delhiin the last week of May/first week of June 2009. The Yatra is expected tocontinue till the end of September 2009. The last batch is expected to depart inend of August/beginning of September 2009.

Total Cost

Rs. 20,000/- (inclusive of Service Tax) to be paid to KumaonMandal Vikas Nigam (KMVN).

Rs. 2,150/- to be paid to Delhi Heart and Lung Institute to covercosts of medical examination / tests at Delhi. Additional amount if further medicals tests are needed.